The Royal Palaces of India [Paperback]

George Michell (Author), Antonio Martinelli (Photographer, Preface)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

An in-depth survey of Indian palaces. The palaces are small towns rather than single buildings, in which the Hindu and Muslim rulers of the subcontinent dispensed their laws and enjoyed their wealth. Antonio Martinelli's photographs, taken with access to the buildings, aim to display the beauty and atmosphere of these palaces. George Michell evokes life within the palaces and describes their many elements: defences; spacious audience halls and courtyards; temples and mosques; private apartments; and service quarters.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A quick perusal illustrates the fact that Indian palaces are most often vast complexes of enormous dimensions. And although ruins outnumber well-maintained structures, Michell animates all the many stunning examples of Hindu and Muslim fortresses and royal residences portrayed in the illuminating photographs. An insightful text offers an overview of India's history as it is revealed through descriptions of various architectural styles and how they developed. Among the book's incredible images are interior details of spectacular carvings, mirror-work patterns, murals, and tile work, and facades are aglow with saturated red sandstone, colored friezes, and copper-wrapped domes punctuating the blue skies surrounding them. Alice Joyce --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Inviting and approachable . . . a pleasurable guide to places that everyone who is interested in, and enjoys, architecture should visit. -- New York Review of Books

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500279640
• ISBN-13: 978-0500279649
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,868,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the student of Indian architecture, history or royalty.., August 15, 2000

By 

Allan M. Gathercoal "fdoamerica" (Norcross, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Royal Palaces of India (Paperback)

For the student of Indian architecture, history or royalty, "The Royal Palaces of India" will be a treasure. With more than 250 illustrations (206 are in color), this book brings one's imagination alive and lets your mind wander through the gates of these gorgeous palaces and forts.

Authors Michell and Martinelli explain in a somewhat academic way how kings, both Hindu and Muslim, held their courts.

The power, perks and privileges that accompanied the royalty are dimly reflected in the opulent architecture that shaped both the places and the royal life. It is hard to imagine, even with the excellent help this book provides, what the glory and splendor of these kingdoms must have been like.

The monarchs were "not merely enhanced by divinities, they were ritually empowered by gods and goddesses" and these palaces reflect, as do the cathedrals of Europe, a journey past the mundane existence of morality. Many who have visited India have seen the celebrated Taj Mahal, but it is a tomb to the wife of the great mongol ruler Shah Jahan. Now, if this is was his wife's tomb, what do you think his palace looked like? This is an engaging and enlightening book. Recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An authoritative survey, September 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Royal Palaces of India (Paperback)

Written by a recognized authority on Indian architecture and art, this book emphasizes architecture of Indian palaces and citadels. But what are palaces and its architecture without some interesting history. The description and historical background accompanying the fine-detail-high-gloss mostly-color pictures breathes life into the palaces and stokes the imagination of the reader. This book is an authoritative survey of surviving proofs of lavishness enjoyed by erstwhile Indian royalty. Highly recommended for tourists with enthusiasm for architecture as well as professional architects (This review has been taken from Recipedelights.com).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sumptuous Feast, May 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Royal Palaces of India (Paperback)

A gorgeous collection of pictures of castles, palaces and fortresses from all over India. What I liked best about this book is the vast range, geographically and also in period and religious styles. Most people who still have only the vision of Mother Theresa's India, will be amazed at the beautiful sights. For a country that is so full of historical splendor, much of which (beyond the Taj Mahal) is so rarely heard of, this is great tourism handbook. Even the written descriptions and historical backgrounds that accompany the chapters are interesting. Though, perhaps because of the humongous scope, there are some, in my opinion, over generalizations and clumping together of kings and what they did. However, I don't suppose anything else would be possible if the authors were to keep the book light enough to be picked up. All in all. A great book!